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A review by purrfectpages
The Summer of Christmas by Keith Giglio, Juliet Giglio
3.0
As kids, Ivy Green (even her name screams Christmas) and Nick Shepherd’s lives were forever changed when they were cast in their church’s Christmas play. Inseparable since that day, friendship inevitably blossomed into teenage love.
But Ivy always dreamed of leaving her small town one day for Hollywood, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Then one day it happens, her big break. Not wanting to be the one to hold her back (but also, frustratingly, not telling Ivy or the readers this) Nick dumps Ivy, citing he has feelings for another woman. Oh and all of this occurs mere days before Christmas.
Bah humbug.
Fast forward 5 years and Ivy is finally on the path to what she was destined to do. But finally selling her screenplay not only sends her back to her hometown for filming, it also reunites her with the man who broke her heart, the same man who also not so secretly serves as inspiration for the film she’s making.
Nick never left home, making a name for himself in the winery business. He also never stopped carrying a torch for Ivy. Both too stubborn to face what went down years ago, instead they hide behind new loves, quirky side characters, and fake lighting. Is a Christmas miracle in their cards or are they destined to live out a blue Christmas forever?
While the writers clearly know their way around a screenplay, this story felt a little like shopping during the holiday season- messy and rushed. I wanted more out of Ivy and Nick’s origin story so I would know what I’m supposed to be rooting for. There were also many cringe worthy moments and a confusing carousel of side character POV’s that felt a little odd and forced. In addition, there were repetitive reminders of Covid sprinkled throughout (we get it, no one shakes hands anymore!) that the story could do without.
Despite all of this and the lackluster reviews, I could actually see this story working as a Made For TV holiday movie. After all, they’re nothing if not corny and non sensical at the one time of year all of this is tolerated- Christmas.
So if Christmas can’t come soon enough for you, grab your beach towel and tinsel and take a chance on Christmas in Tinseltown.
But Ivy always dreamed of leaving her small town one day for Hollywood, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Then one day it happens, her big break. Not wanting to be the one to hold her back (but also, frustratingly, not telling Ivy or the readers this) Nick dumps Ivy, citing he has feelings for another woman. Oh and all of this occurs mere days before Christmas.
Bah humbug.
Fast forward 5 years and Ivy is finally on the path to what she was destined to do. But finally selling her screenplay not only sends her back to her hometown for filming, it also reunites her with the man who broke her heart, the same man who also not so secretly serves as inspiration for the film she’s making.
Nick never left home, making a name for himself in the winery business. He also never stopped carrying a torch for Ivy. Both too stubborn to face what went down years ago, instead they hide behind new loves, quirky side characters, and fake lighting. Is a Christmas miracle in their cards or are they destined to live out a blue Christmas forever?
While the writers clearly know their way around a screenplay, this story felt a little like shopping during the holiday season- messy and rushed. I wanted more out of Ivy and Nick’s origin story so I would know what I’m supposed to be rooting for. There were also many cringe worthy moments and a confusing carousel of side character POV’s that felt a little odd and forced. In addition, there were repetitive reminders of Covid sprinkled throughout (we get it, no one shakes hands anymore!) that the story could do without.
Despite all of this and the lackluster reviews, I could actually see this story working as a Made For TV holiday movie. After all, they’re nothing if not corny and non sensical at the one time of year all of this is tolerated- Christmas.
So if Christmas can’t come soon enough for you, grab your beach towel and tinsel and take a chance on Christmas in Tinseltown.